50 House Meetings in 2025!

Rooted in the tradition of house meetings in grassroots organizing, Sugar Freedom Project organizers launched a House Meeting Campaign to accompany the Resident Workshop Series, centered on how the City of Oakland works and the historical context that has shaped Oakland's current circumstances.

SFP members are bringing their friends, family, and neighbors together to deepen engagement and education on the issues affecting their neighborhoods. Through November of this year, they will explore how decisions are made in our local government and where we as residents can effectively participate and intervene in the City’s decision-making processes to ensure equitable resource allocation in the flats.

🏠 What is a house meeting?

In grassroots organizing, house meetings are a tool used to develop awareness and education on issues affecting a community, with the goal of deepening attendees' commitment to participate and take action on the issues together. More importantly, house meetings allow for deepening of relationships and building trust with one another and the movement towards equity. 

The house meeting is an intimate gathering--in a living room, in someone's backyard, at a neighborhood park or community center--where the host's friends and family share their experiences and describe their commitment to the issue that they are convening folks around. A discussion is loosely facilitated by an organizer, and there is a direct ask of attendees.

Why our leaders are holding a house meeting campaign:

“House meetings are important, first because they help us build community, and also because by informing people about the rights we have as members of this city, we can raise our voices and legally demand what we deserve." Paola A.

“House meetings are important to me because they allow me to inform my neighbors about what is happening in our community, what the council members are doing, and how we can get involved." Minerva F.

SFP House Meeting Campaign Goals

🎯 Host at least 50 house meetings from now through November

🎯 Train 300 Oakland flatland residents on how the City of Oakland works

🎯 Hold 2 large convenings with house meeting hosts and attendees coming together to deepen their commitment to SFP's mission of organizing for structural investment in the flatlands of East and West Oakland

🎯 Identify and develop 15 new members interested in taking key leadership roles and organizing with Sugar Freedom Project

Through our House Meeting campaign, we are creating spaces for shared learning about grassroots organizing: what it means, how it works, and why community-led action is powerful. We need these spaces now more than ever.

If you are interested in hosting a House Meeting with your friends and family, reach out to Flavio at flavio@in-advance.org